MyAnna Buring also returns as Long Susan. But this series will see a host of new characters as well.

"I'm delighted and excited to be back for a third series of Ripper," Macfadyen said.

"Thank you to Amazon, thank you to our fans who wanted more, and thank you to our wonderful writers and producers for giving us the most thoroughly brilliant, gripping and heart-rending episodes."

Tim Leslie, vice president of Amazon Prime Instant Video in the UK, said: "We are committed to providing our customers with the best-in-class film and TV, and with critically acclaimed acting and gripping storylines, 'Ripper Street' is just that.

"The third instalment of the show is set to be grittier and more exciting than ever and we can't wait to bring it to our customers first this autumn."

The show's writer and creator Richard Warlow said: "It's a day many of us thought we'd never see, but it is particularly wonderful to be able to say that cameras are rolling on 'Ripper Street' once more."

The series will air on Amazon Prime Instant Video in the autumn, and then be broadcast on BBC One a few months later.

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